Method and apparatus of cross-over cable spooling



April 10, 1956 1.. LE BUS, SR 2,741,441

METHOD AND APPARATUS OF CROSS-OVER CABLE SPOOLING Filed June 25, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. E L. Le Bus, 5/."

April 10, 1956 F. 1.. LE BUS, SR 2,741,441

METHOD AND APPARATUS OF CROSS-OVER CABLE SPOOLING Filed June 25, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. F L. Le Bus, 5

April 10, 1956 F. 1,. LE BUS, SR 2,741,441

METHOD AND APPARATUS OF CROSS-OVER CABLE SPOOLING Filed June 25, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. F. L. LeBus, 5/

ATTORNEY Aprii 10, 1%56 F. L. LE BUS, SR 2974319441 METHOD AND APPARATUS OF CROSS-OVER CABLE SPOOLING Filed June 25, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. F g, 1'5 BY FL. LeBus, 51*? A TTORNE;

United States Patent METHOD AND APPARATUS F CROSS-(IVER CABLE SPOULIYG Franklin L. Le Bus, Sr., Longview, Tex. Application June 25, 1953, Serial No. 364,157

2 Claims. (Cl. 242-117) This invention relates to improvements in hoisting or winding drums for receiving and dispensing wire cable, electric lines, rope and the like, and a method of winding cable or the like on a drum.

The present invention may be utilized in the winding of substantially any type of cable or cord, but is par- 7 ticularly adapted for use in the drilling and producing divisions of the oil industry. In these segments of industry, steel cable, sometimes called wire line, is used extensively for lowering and raising heavy objects into and out of an oil well bore. The objects being moved are frequently of great weight and the wells may be several thousand feet deep. Therefore, it is desired to have a cable of great length and durability to withstand the high tensions produced therein.

In the early art of winding such steel cable, the cable was wound on a drum in a random fashion, resulting in frequent tangling of the cable. With no control over the spooling of steel cable on a drum, the full capacity of the drum is not utilized and the cable frequently becomes criss crossed on the drum and stacked at the ends of the drum to cause entanglement of the cable with resulting chafing and reduced service life thereof.

The first practical controlled spooling of wire line was accomplished by providing a continuous helical groove around a drum core throughout the length of the core. This provided a complete utilization of the drum through the first layer of cable wound thereon. But the cable would still tend to stack up at the ends of the drum core and the layers applied after the first layer would become entangled somewhat as before.

A further step in controlling spooling was the provision of kickers, or cross-over members at each end of the drum core to reverse the direction of movement of the cable as it approached either end of the drum. This feature somewhat eliminated the build-up of cable at the ends of the drum, but the second and subsequent layers would be wound in an irregular fashion with the consequent chafing of the cable. In addition, since the cable was Wound in a completely helical path, each wind of the cable in the second and subsequent layers would necessarily cross two winds of cable in the previous layer in two irregular and uncontrolled movements. This caused an undue chafing and bending of the cable. With a cable under high tension, such as when used in rotary oil well drilling apparatus, the bending must be held to a minimum because of its direct adverse elfect, as well as the reduction of spaces or voids between adjacent winds. Cable under high tension will invariably work into such voids and cause entanglement and induce chafing.

Subsequently, the detriments of the continuous helix method was overcome by providing a combination helical and parallel groove around the drum core. The groove was continuous from one end of the drum core to the other. The groove extended around the core a plurality of times. For simplicity, the length of the groove required to extend around the drum core one time may be referred to as a circle of the groove. The

all in a row, or the same plane, and fillers or cross-over members were placed at each end of the drum in line with the helical portions. With this construction, the cable is wound in a combination helical and parallel path in subsequent as Well as the first layer. In addition, each wind of the second and subsequent layers crosses over two Winds of previous layers in substantially the same area or zone as the cross-overs of the previous winds, thereby reducing the bending and chafing of the cable. However, the previous layers of cable are principally responsible for initiating the reversing movement of the cable at the end of the second and subsequent layers. As a result, voids will appear at the ends of the drum, particularly in the third and subsequent layers, when the cable becomes reduced in diameter through use. Also, no appreciable control is maintained over the length of each wind in the third and subsequent layers utilized for crossing over the pertinent Wind of the preceding layer. Consequently, the cross-over zone increases in width as the number of layers are increased, thereby decreasing the efiiciency of the system as the number of layers increases.

By system in the previous paragraph is meant the maintenance of the minimum cross-over length in each wind of cable on a drum. When winding wire'cable on a drum, it is desired to guide the major portion of each wind in a path parallel to the drum flanges. The cable then lies more neatly on the drum core to increase the the method described above, the efiiciency of the spooling operation is decreased.

In the present invention, the cable is wound on a drum core in such a manner that the cross-over length of each wind is the same in all layers of cable wound on the drum. The cable is wound on the drum in a combination helical and parallel path with the helical portion of each wind performing the cross-over function. The helically disposed portion of each wind is maintained at a minimum, as well as being disposed in a predetermined place on the drum core. Therefore, the maximum length of each wind is parallel to the drum flanges to provide neatly and uniformly controlled progressive grooving of stacked layers of cable on the drum. Also the helical portions of each wind in all of the layers is in the same peripheral position on the drum core to reduce the possibility of voids between winds to a minimum. In effect, the present invention provides a method of controlled progressive spooling wherein the cross-over length of the winds is uniform and positively controlled.

structurally, the present invention contemplates a drum core having a plurality of grooves in the outer periphery thereof. The grooves are side by side, extending around the drum core in a direction parallel to the drum flanges, with the opposite ends of each groove being spaced. The periphery of the drum core between the ends of the grooves is smooth to permit bending of the cable thereon during the winding of the first layer on the drum. Suitable end fillers are provided at each end of the smooth portion to control bending of the cable Patented Apr. 10, 1956 are secured on the. inner faces of. the..drum.brake.flanges Another object of this invention is.to provide a drum for spooling wire: cable and the like wherein the cable is wound in a combination helical and parallel path to minimize abrupt bending of the cable.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cable spooling' apparatus preventing a build-up of cable at either end of a drum in order to reducethe possibility of voids between adjacent winds to a' minimum.

A still further object of this invention is to maintain the'cross-overs of successive layers of cable on a drum ofuniform length and in super-imposed relation on the drum.

Anotherobject of this invention is to provide a novel method of controlled progressive grooving in the spooling of wire cable and the'like wherein the cable is wound on the drum in a uniform manner throughout all layers of cable. a I

A further object of this invention is to provide a method of 'controlled progressive grooving in the spooling of wire cable and the like wherein'the cross-over of each wind is begun and ended at a predetermined circumferential position.

A stillfurthe'r object of this invention is "to provide a novel drum for winding steel cable and the like which maybe economically manufactured.

Other objects and advantages of the'invention will be evident from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate'my invention.

In the drawing: v

Figure l is a side elevational view of a hoisting drum illustrating an early stage of the drum forming process.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of Fig. l.

Figure 3 is another side elevational view of the hoistin'g drum shown in Fig. 1 illustrating a further step in preparing the drum for use.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4- 4 of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is a side'and both end views of one of the end fillers (riser) adapted to be installed on the hoisting drum shown in Figs. 1 to 4. V

Figure 6 is a side and bothe'nd views ofthe other end filler (starting) adapted'to be installed on the hoisting drum shown in Figs. 1 to 4. V

Figure 7 is still another side elevational view of the hoisting drum with the drum being in condition for use.

Figure 8 is a partial sectional 'view, similar to Fig. 4, with the starting end filler in position. 7 V

Figure 9 is a partial sectional View, similar to Fig. 4, but of the opposite end of the hoisting drum with the riser end filler in position. I

Figure 10 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 10-10 of Fig. 7. I T

Figure 11 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of Fig. 7.

Figure 12 is a side elevational viewof the completed hoisting drum having a single layer of'cable wound thereon, and with part of the cable cut away for clarity.

Figure 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12'illustratin'g the gisposition of multiple layers of cable on the hoisting rum.

Figure 14 is a vertical sectional view of the starting end of thehoisting drum illustrating the disposition of multiflanges 22 and 24 secured concentrically onthe opposite ends thereof. Normally, the drum 18 is supported in such a manner (not shown to be rotated about thelongitudinal axis of the core 20." An'apenure 26is'pr'ovided in the inner side wall of the brake flange 24 (see Fig. 2) substantially conterminous with the outer surface of the core 2i Also, a pair of blocks or chocks 23 are secured to the inner periphery of the brake flange 24 in parallel relationship on the opposite sides of the aperture 26 to assist in securing the dead end of a cable as will be more fully hereinafterset forth. 1

A series of grooves 30 are provided in the outer periphery of the drum core 20. -Each groove 30 extends coinpletely around the core 20 in a direction parallel-to the brake flanges 22 and 24. Any desired method of mariufacture may be utilized to provide the grooves 30. For

example, the grooves 30 may be cast or machined inlthe outer surface of the core 20, or the grooves 30 maybe provided by securing" grooved bars on the outer periphery of the core 26 as is well known in the'art'. For the purpose of the present description, it will be assumed the grooves 30 are either'cast or machined directly in theouter periphery of the core 20, however, not limited thereto. a

The next step in" preparing the drum 18 for use is to cut away-a portion of the drum core 20 as shown inFig'.

a. As clearly shown, a rectangular strip is removed from the outer extremities of thecore 20 over the entire'longi? tudinal length thereof to provide a smooth surface'd'po'r tion 32; The portion 32 is formed on a radius sub'st'afn tially equal to the roots of the grooves 30, as is showniri Fig. 4, and 'is so positioned that one edge 34. thereof is even with one edge of the aperture 26. From theedge'34, the portion 32 extends circumferentially over the drum core'20 underneath the aperture 26 and terminates at 36. At the edges 34 and 36, where the grooves 30 begin, the core 20 istapered outwardly as shown in Fig 4 to reduce chafing of a cable being wound on the dru rn 18 as will be hereinafter set forth. Thesurface 32 limits what shall hereafter be referred to as the control Zone, and the width thereof'will vary, depending upon the size of cable being wound on the'dr'um18L As a general rule,

the 'zone '32 'will cover' from ffteento fifty. percent of the outer surface of the core: 20.

A filler piece'38 (Figsl 5,? an 9 is secured to? the The inner face 41' of the filler piece 38 .is tapered slowly outward from the lower end 42 thereof (whenviewed as in Fig. ,7) to the upper end '43 thereof. 1 In addition, a diminishing groove 44 is provided inthe outer p'eriphcry of theriser piece 38, extending from the lowenlajrfge end 42 thereof through approximately one-third the length of the piece 38. This last mentioned lengthismerely exemplary and by no means critical: 7 At the lower end 42, the grooi e'44 is substantially the same width and depth as the end of, the mating groove 30.1 As the gr oove 44 progresses from the end 42, it decreases both in depth and width until it vanishes. V I w a a H n Another filler piece 46 (Figsi 6, 7 and 8) is securedto the drum core 20 at the opposite end of the control zone 32. The filler piece 46, hereinafter called the starting end filler, is also arcuately shaped, lengthwise, to conform to the transverse contour of the control zone 32 and extends over the entire width of the zone 32 (see Fig. 8). The outer face 47 of the starting end filler 46 is substantially flat to conform to the inner face 48 of the brake flange 24. However, a diminishing groove 49 is provided in the outer face 47 opposite the aperture 26 to permit securing a cable in the aperture 26 as will be more fully hereinafter set forth. The inner face 56 of the filler 46 is tapered outwardly from the upper end 51 (as viewed in Fig. 7) to the lower end 52 thereof.

Thus, the filler pieces 38 and 46 are arranged in opposite directions and directly opposite each other, in order to have their inner faces 41 and 56 extending in the same direction. The large ends 42 and 51 of the filler pieces 38 and 46 respectively are substantially equal to the width of the grooves 30, which are in turn equal to the diameter of the cable to be wound on the drum 18. Also, the thickness of each of'the filler pieces 38 and 46 is substantially equal to the diameter of said cable.

A control bar 54 (Figs. 7, 10, 11 and 16) is secured to the inner face 48 of the brake flange 24 substantially opposite the lower small end 52 of the starting end filler 46. The outer face 55 of the bar 54 is flat to conform to the face 43 and all edges of the bar 54 are chamfered toward the inner face thereof. The bar 54 is of a length to extend from the outer periphery of the starting end filler 46 to substantially the outer periphery of the brake flange 24; and the bar 54 is arranged parallel to an imaginary line extending through the center of the brake flange 24 and the center of the starting end filler 46, as clearly shown at a-a in Fig. 10.

A similar bar 56 (Figs. 7 and 11) is secured to the inner face 40 of the brake flange 22. The bar 56 is arranged parallel to an imaginary line extending through the center of the brake flange 22 and the riser filler 38, as shown at bb in Fig. l l, and is substantially in line with the small end 43 of the filler 38. Thus, when the bars 54 and '6 are projected into a plane parallel to the brake flanges 22 and 24, it will be seen that the bars are disposed in parallel relation and the distance therebetween is substantially equal to the Width of the control zone 32. In fact, the bars 54 and 56 in effect mark the transverse limits of the control zone 32 outwardly over the inner faces of the brake flanges 22 and 24. This relation is clearly shown by an examination of Figs. 10 and 11 together.

Operation To wind a cable 60 (Fig. 12) onto the drum 18, one end 62 thereof is threaded through the groove 49 of the starting end filler 46 and thence through the aperture 26 and between the chocks 28. A suitable clamp 64 is then secured to the cable end 62 in contact with the chocks 28 to hold the cable end 62 in the above described position. The remainder of the cable 69 is then laid out in a direction transverse to the longitudinal center line of the drum 13 and is preferably held under tension.

As previously stated, the drum 18 is ordinarily supported in such a manner as to be rotated about its longitudinal axis. Therefore, with the cable 60 laid out in the manner described, the drum 18 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 12 from the outer face of the brake flange 24). The motive means (not shown) for rotating the drum 1% form no part of the present invention.

As the drum 18 first begins to rotate, the cable 60 follows the groove 36 nearest the brake flange 24 and is therefore guided into a position parallel to the brake flange 24 throughout the length of said groove 36. As this first groove 30 is rotated downwardly from the point where the cable 66 first makes contact with the drum 18 as it is being wound thereon, the cable 66 is progressively the starting end filler 46. It will be noted cable 60 first contacts the lower small end 52 of the filler 46 at one side of the control zone 32. Thus, the end filler 46 gradua ally moves the cable 60 away from the brake flange 24 in substantially a helical path throughout the length of said filler. During the first wind of the cable 60, the cable does not contact the control bar 54, but moves from the first groove 30 directly into contact with the end filler 46. The inner face 50 of the filler 46 is gradually curved or tapered to force the cable 60 away from the brake flange 24 with the minimum of rubbing or chafing action on the cable. It will also be noted that the transverse movement of the cable 60 is accomplished entirely within the control zone 32. At the large end 51 of the filler 46, the cable 643 has been moved to a position in line with the groove 34 located second from the brake flange 24.

Further rotation of the drum 18 causes the cable 60 to follow the second groove 30 around the core 20 and form a second Wind of cable. As the second wind of cable 60 leaves the second groove 36, it contacts the oblique or helical portion of the first wind of cable and is forced away from the brake flange 24 in .an identical path by the helically disposed portion of the first wind. At the end of the second wind, the cable 66 is in line with the groove 36 positioned third from the brake flange 24. It is to be noted the transverse or reversing movement of the second wind was accomplished in the control zone 32, and that the helical portion of the first wind caused the reversing movement of the second wind. No grooves are provided in the control zone 32.

Continued rotation of the drum 18 will wind the cable 60 in each subsequent groove 30, with a portion of each wind being forcedin a helical path by the preceding wind. The cable 68 thus progresses across the drum core 29 over the entire length thereof with the major portion of each Wind being parallel to the drum flanges.

When the last wind of the first layer of the cable 60 is substantially completed, the cable 60 enters the groove 44 (Fig. 5) of the riser end filler 38. Obviously, as the cable 69 is wound in the groove 44, it will be raised to a position on top of the filler38, which is above the remainder of the first layer. As the cable 60 reaches the top of the riser 38, it contacts the control bar 56 and is forced away from the brake flange 22. The thickness of the control bar 56 need only be suificient to start the cable 60 moving away from the brake flange 22. Once the cable 6%) starts moving in that direction, it falls into the parallel groove 66 provided between the last two winds of the first layer. The cable 60 moves into the groove 66 adjacent the control bar 56 to complete the last wind of the firstlayer and start the first wind of the second layer. Thus, the cable 66 is raised and moved in a reversed helical path in the control zone 32.

The cable 66 winds into the parallel groove 66 to form the major portion of the first wind in the second layer. As this first wind reaches the lower edge of the control Zone 32, it is forced away from the brake flange 22 by the raised and helically disposed portion of the last Wind in the first layer. This helical portion forces the latter portion of the first wind in the second layer to a position in line with the parallel groove 68 provided between the third and second from last winds of the first layer. The cable 60 then enters the groove 68 to start the second wind of the second layer. In the second Wind, and all subsequent winds, the cable is forced in a helical path in the control zone 32 to cause a uniform progression of the cable over the drum core 20. The major portion of each wind in the second layer will be disposed parallel to the brake flanges 22 and 24 in groove provided between winds of the first layer. The remainder of each wind (that disposed in the control zone 32) will be laid in a helical path as described above.

, 7 l The last wise or th efseco'nd rarer (see rigqis rol lows the parauei groove -70 provided hetwe en the-fir'stand secbnd winds'of the first layer throughout the major poitibhbf the wind. However, as the last wind of the second layer reachesa position slightly above the control bar4 (as viewed in Fig. 13 the spaceo'r Clearance beween the helical portion of the next to last wind and the brake-flange 24 is insufiiicent to accommodate the cable 60. The cable 60 is then forced outwardly from the core 20 and into contact with the inner face 48 of the brake flange 24 to complete the wind. The cable 60 will then fall in the groove 72 provided between the last wind-of the second layer and the brake flange 24 to form the first wind of the third-layer. Prior to completion of the first wind of the third layer, the cable 60*c'oi1tats the control bar '54'and is forced away from the brake flange 24. Thus, the cable 60 is forced in the same direction as the first layer in the control zone 32 to a position in alignment with the groove 74 provided between the last and next to last winds of the second l'a'ye'rto start the second windof the third layer. The second and subsequent Winds of'the third layer are forced in the same direction by the helical portion of the preceding wind to cause a uniform progression of the cable across the drum core -20.'

A portion of each windin each odd numbered layer or cable Wound on the drum 18 will be disposed in a helical direction away from the brake flange 24 within the control zone 32. Conversely, a portion of each wind in each even numbered layer will be disposed in a helical manner in the opposite direction, but within the control zone 32; The control bars 54 and 56 force the cable away from their respective brake flanges to accomplish the reversingmovementof the cable and prevent a buildup of cable ateither end of the drum core 20.

As previously stated, the control bars 54 and 56, in efiect, define the limits of the control zone 32-outwardly from the drum core 20. Since each wind of 'cable starts its helical movement in line with the bar-54, the bar54 may be said to beat the start or beginning of the control zone 32. 'Also, since the helical movement of each Wind is completed substantially in line with the bar 56, the bar 56 may be said to be at the end of the control zone 32. These relative positions of the bars 54 and 56, as well as the uniform peripheral distance between'the bars is important to efiect an efliicent winding of cable onto the drum 18. The width of the control zone 32-is preferably the minimum distance in which a cable of the size being wound can be eflici'ently bent a distance equal to the diameter of the cable. much of each wind in a direction parallel to the drum flanges, with the resulting uniform winding, and utilizing the 'minimum'leng th of'each wind for crossing the cable over on the drum 18. The bars 54 and 56 maintaina constant helical length of each Wind in each layer'of cable Wound onto the drum -13. v

lt will be'apparent 'that'in the present cable winding apparatus the distance between the drum core 'fiahg'es must'be equal to the multiplied diameter of the cable being used. Furthermore, the disposition of the control bars or kickers '54 and 56 parallel to -a line 'running'throhgh the center of each of the end fillers provides a more uniform :cross-over length in each Wind of cable throughout all-layers wound on the'drlirn. Thelength of the control plane at the start of the first wrap .is sufficient for a minimum cross over action and remains constant throughoutcontinuous wraps-of the cable.

From the foregoing, it will be 'apparentthat the present invention provides an apparatus and method for the winding of cable on a drum core which gives-a definite continuous control of the cable being wound, regardless of'thenumber of layers wound or spooled on the drum, and also thatthe cablecnly crosses over two :previous wraps at one time, thereby freducingythe angle of the The purpose being to provide as bend feature is carried throughout subsequent layers of the cable and all within thecontr'ol zone. After the first startig riser kicks the "second wind'of the cable over into position, the remaining windsof cable are always disposed at the same pitch because the cable itself acts as a continuous guide or contiuous starting 'fille'r progressively across the drum "core.

Changes may be made in the combination and ar- 7 rangement of parts as her'etofore-set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, itbeing understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made Within the scopeof the following claims without departing from the spirit of the'invention.

I claim:

'1. A- cable winding apparatus, comprising a cylindrical drum core having'brak'e flanges on the opposite ends thereof, a series of circumferentialgrooves in the outer periphery of the drum' core to receive a cable being Wound on the drum, said grooves being disposed side byside and extending in a'direction-parallel'to thedrum flanges, said grooves being of the same length and extending substantially around 'the' drum core in the same relative position, the ends of the grooves disposed in transverse alignment along the drum core providing a srnooth'suriace onthe drum core 'of uniform width over the length of the drum core, said' srnooth .portiontproviding a'control zone'wherein the cable may be bent as it is being wound on the drum to extend fromthe end of'one groove to the opposite ends 'of'anadjacentgroove, and an end filler at one end or said control zone, the inner face of said end filler being curved to bend the portion of the first wind of cable applied to the control zone. a v

-2. A cable winding apparatus, comprising a cylindrical drum core having brake flanges on the opposite ends thereof, a series of circumferential grooves in the outer periphery of the drum core to receive a cable being wound on the drum, said :grooves being disposed side by side and extending in a direction parallel to the drum flanges, said grooves being of the same length and extending partially around the drum core in the same rela- Y tive position, theends bf'the grooves in alignment on the drum core providing a smooth surface "on the drum core of uniform width 'o'ver'thel'ength of the' drum core, said'smoother'poition providing a control zone wherein the cable may be bent as it is beingwound on'the drum to extend from the and of one groove to the opposite ends of anadjac'ent groove, and an end filler at one "end of said control zone, the 'inner face'of said fend filler being curved away from theadjacent brake'flange from the'be'ginning edge of the control zone to the "end "edge 'flier'eofi'whereby the'portion of the first wind of cable applied to the control zone will be bent from'the end ofthe gr'oove'dispos'ed nearest said brake tinge to the opposite'end of the groove'second from said brake flange,

References Cited in the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

